Thomas might become free agent after contract shrinks. "The White Sox sent [Frank] Thomas a letter on Oct. 6 telling him they were invoking a 'diminished skills' clause in his contract, a lawyer with knowledge of the talks said Tuesday on condition of anonymity. That clause would reduce his base pay to $250,000, and defer most of his nearly $10 million salary." (ESPN.com)

Bob Matthews: "If the 34-year-old Thomas can’t revive his career he might join Dale Murphy (a fellow two-time MVP) and Jim Rice as players who lost it quickly and didn’t last quite enough or do quite enough to be elected to Cooperstown." (Democrat and Chronicle)